Childminder, Out-of school day care in Hertfordshire

This provision meets requirements

Children feel safe and secure with the childminder, who has a very caring and nurturing nature. They beam with delight as the childminder warmly welcomes them when she collects them from their classroom. The childminder expresses a genuine interest in what children say. She listens intently as children tell her about their day. The childminder knows the children she cares for exceptionally well. This means she swiftly identifies and values how children are feeling. The childminder promotes road safety awareness. She reminds children of the importance of holding onto the pram and each other's hand as they cross the road. This helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe.

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This provision meets requirements

The childminder is a positive role model. She consistently uses good manners when talking to children, this motivates children to say please and thank you. Her praise for children's achievements helps to boost their self-esteem. Children are highly independent. They know to remove their shoes and place them neatly in pairs. Good hygiene is thoroughly embedded. Children engage in exciting activities that reflect their interests. They enjoy exploring the texture of artificial snow and ice cubes in an Arctic animal scene. Children watch with amazement as the ice cubes begin to reduce in size and eventually melt when placed in a bowl of water. They thoroughly enjoy the childminder's sensitive interactions in their play. Children show a thirst for learning, which the childminder embraces. They solve simple mathematical problems and learn the meaning of new words, such as 'camouflage'.

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need to do better?

n Children talk proudly about different customs they follow at home, such as celebrating Eid and Diwali. This helps to raise children's understanding of the diversity of cultures represented in the wider world. Children learn about a wide range of life cycles and develop respect for living things. For instance, they patiently wait for the eggs laid by the childminder's chickens to hatch in an incubator and actively participate in caring for and handling the chicks. n Children's behaviour is impeccable. All children form exceptionally close bonds with one another regardless of their age. They all play harmoniously together, listen to each other's ideas and understand the importance of taking turns. The childminder successfully implements clear consistent boundaries that also enable children to assess their own risks. Children thoroughly enjoy burning off energy after school as they run ahead of the childminder in pedestrian only areas. They

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need to do better?

know that they must wait for her at designated trees, so they always remain within her sight. n The childminder has high regard for health and well-being and she promotes these priorities. She provides children with an extensive range of opportunities

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need to do better?

20 January 2025 to be active within her inviting garden. For example, children create challenging obstacle courses and develop excellent agility and coordination as they eagerly play badminton. The childminder provides children with a healthy range of snacks to help them refuel after a busy day at school. She sits with children to eat, making this a rich social occasion, and increases their awareness about the importance of drinking water. Children plant and nurture tomatoes in the childminder's greenhouse and taste these when they are ready to eat. This helps to broaden children's tastes. n The childminder diligently reflects on her practice and the quality of the experiences she provides. As a result, she has transformed part of her garden to include an inviting mud kitchen and ice-cream parlour, stocked with an abundance of natural resources. She has also adds 'wow' baskets filled with rich artifacts that inspire awe and wonder. These enhancements stimulate children's

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need to do better?

curiosity and encourage imaginative play. n The childminder has high expectations of herself. She regularly completes training that she identifies will have the biggest impact on children. As a result of recent training, the childminder has further enhanced her awareness of how to promote children's communication and language skills, through embracing their love of books. n Partnerships with parents are excellent. The childminder keeps parents fully informed about their children's time with her and regularly invites them into her home to join in with the inspiring activities with their children. Parents describe the childminder as 'fantastic' and comment how their children love the nurturing environment the childminder creates, and how this has become a positive extension of their own home. n The childminder forms exceptionally close partnerships with children's teachers at the school they attend. There is a superb two-way flow of information to

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need to do better?

positively support children's continuity of care and learning. This means the childminder has an excellent understanding of children's achievements and what they need to learn next. The childminder uses this information effectively, combined with her outstanding knowledge of child development, to effortlessly support children's progression.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY541562 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10368209 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection 12 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Bishops Stortford. She operates from 3.15pm until 5.30pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday during term time only. The childminder holds qualified teacher status.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. She joined the childminder on a walk to collect children from school. n The inspector had a tour of the childminder's home and garden to gain an understanding of how the provision is organised. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The childminder carried out a joint evaluation of an activity with the inspector, and they discussed their findings. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

20 January 2025 We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

20 January 2025 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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